FREEMASONRY AND THE WAR.

Marlborough Express, Volume VI, Issue 294, 27 May 1871, Page 7

FREEMASONRY AND THE WAR.

We take the following extract from the last European Mail : — . ~ r ,, ~ , “ The quarterly communication ot the Oran a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of England took place on March Ist, at the Freemasons Hall, and was very numerously attended by members of the craft from all parts of the kingdom The Earl of Carnarvon, D.G-. Master, occupied the throne, supported by Brothers Bagshaw, P.G. Master for Essex, Augustus Smith P G. Master for Cornwall, and a numerous body of past and present grand officers and masters. The Earl of Carnarvon said he had a communication to make of considerable importance to the craft, and he trusted he should secure the entire concurrence of the Grand Lodge in the news which* he should lay before them. On February 18th last, in a Masonic periodical (which his lordship named) there appeared a letter from a brother, resident in Somersetshire, in reference to the unhappy war that was then taking place in Europe between France and Prussia. That letter was a very short one, but it was accompanied by a protest against the course that was then pursued by the King of Prussia and his army against France. V\ ell, on February 21st, the Grand Secretary received a letter from a German brother, dated from Leipsic, complaining of the letter and protest, but at the same time his letter was written in a not less excited manner than the letter of which he complained. Amongst others things this German brother called from the Grand Lodge of England a repudiation of the paper which had published the letter and protest However he (the Earl of Carnarvon) held that neither the Grand Lodge, the Grand Master, nor any other of the constituted Masonic authorities, were to be held responsible for what appeared in that paper. In considering this letter and protest he was not guided by sympathy for one side or the other, for that was beside the- question. In a periodical (hat confined itself to. Masonic matters it was not only not desirable, but it was quite wrong that political matters should be introduced into it. It was wrong, but it was especially unmasonic, for it was calculated to engender feelings of enmity and strife. He felt it to be his duty to bring this matter under the notice of the Grand Lodge, and expressed Ins regret that the managers of this paper should ever have allowed to be introduced into it such a letter as this. For himself, he felt satisfied, after this painful matter to which he had referred, it would be unnecessary for any one occupying the chair in the Grand Lodge again to call attention to such a matter. On the motion of Bio. R. Stewart, seconded by Bro Bennock Eaxl De Grey and Ripon was re-elected Grand Master foi the ensuing year, and Bro. Samuel Tomkins Grand Treasurer. On the motion of Bro. J. Ranken Stebbing, P.G.D., the sum of £SO was voted to the funds raised for providing a Masonic lifeboat.”